LILLE, France — Borussia Dortmund’s head coach, Niko Kovac, recently revealed his approach in a crucial team meeting, following another disappointing loss in the Bundesliga. This meeting was particularly pivotal as the team prepared for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Lille.
After suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat against Augsburg on Saturday, which left Dortmund languishing in 10th place in the Bundesliga standings, Kovac decided to address his players directly on Sunday. The coach emphasized the necessity of being “clear and direct” in his communication, especially in light of their recent performance.
Kovac expressed the urgency of the situation by highlighting the imminence of their upcoming Champions League clash. He remarked, “It was important to sharpen the senses and focus on the sport, especially because of the schedule, with our next significant encounter in the Champions League just four days away.” This match against Lille is crucial, given that the aggregate stands at 1-1, following the first leg.
Since stepping into his role at Borussia Dortmund last month after Nuri Sahin’s departure, Kovac has experienced a mixed bag of results. His managing stint at Dortmund has seen the team secure three wins out of eight matches across all competitions.
The pressure is on for Kovac and his men as they aim to push past Lille and make a significant impact in this season’s Champions League, especially after having been the tournament’s runners-up last season.
